/ 12 April 2000

INDIAN BOOKIE DENIES MATCH-FIXING

AN Indian bookmaker named in connection with international cricket match-fixing allegations denied wrongdoing on Wednesday and said he had not even met disgraced former South African captain Hansie Cronje. Sanjeev Chawla, 32, who is based in London, issued a statement through his lawyer, Neil O’May, after he was named in several media reports. “Mr Chawla vehemently and categorically denies any involvement in allegations of match-rigging,” the statement said. “He denies that he has met the South African cricketer Hansie Cronje and denies speaking to him at any time on the telephone as has been reported from New Delhi. “He is not ‘in hiding’ as some newspapers have also suggested,” the statement said. O’May added: “At this time, until the matter blows over, Mr Chawla will not be making any further comment to the press.”